No Hardware Lazy Susan

Not much woodworking here but Monte’s lazy susans and a question about where to buy hardware got me thinking: could one work with no hardware? This project is the answer. It is 15” in diameter with a 12” base and 9” ‘spacer’. Pivot is a 1” diameter Jatoba dowel glued into the base and recessed into the top 5/8”. Materials: poplar stained with MW Gunstock, Jatoba dowel,1/4” plywood, leather pads on bottom. Finish: shellac and wax. It spins very freely and has no wobble (the dowel length is key to preventing wobble). Pretty quick and simple. I grew up in the country where we didn’t just run to town for something, we made it! Criticism is always accepted so have at it!

Andy, I love the look and the design. Your last posting was right, you are breaking new ground. Especially nice job of staining. The one inch pivot is substantial. How did you cut the circles…bandsaw, lathe, router, or combination?

My only question is does the Susan still spin well with a dish or two that is not balanced in the center? The BB sounds good and a recessed marble in the large dowel might work as well, or one of those nylon glides for the bottom of chairs might give a larger bearing area. Have you considered a low rim to keep stuff from being spun off? Not likely but a situation to consider. I like the variety of work you are making. Thanks for taking us along on your creative journey. I am looking forward to what comes next.

Nicely done Andy.Like the simple no hardware design .In the past I have made some turn tables using glass marbles spaced out in individual pockets ,seems to work well also and very inexpensive just don’t take the good ones from your kids stash . LOL

Al, I freehand cut those circles on the bandsaw (my circle cutting jig cuts spirals). It spins easily with pressure clear out to the edge (that’s why I used the spacer so it wouldn’t tilt and bind on the dowel). Kiefer, I designed one in my mind with marble bearings running in a routed groove all the way around the underside of the top. Then I decided to try the “KISS” method first. Sometimes I tend to overthink stuff!